Play Mystie For Me
A Back To The Future Story
By Flaming Trails
Disclaimer: I don't own Back To The Future. If I did, IT WOULD BE MINE, ALL MINE!!!!!!!
Quick Note: This is the prologue to the Vampire Doc Chronicles. Basically, how Doc met Mystie in the first place. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1
Thursday, Halloween, 1985
Hill Valley, California
6: 10 P. M.
Dracula looked at himself in the mirror. His lip curled into a snarl, and he flung his cape around his shoulders. His eyes glared hypnotically into the glass. "I am Dracula. Submit to my will, so I may feast on the life that flows in your veins." He snapped his head to the side. "Renfield!"
"Coming, Master!" Renfield rasped, scurrying to his side. He crouched by Dracula, totally submissive. "What do you require of me, Master?"
"Make sure your master looks well, Renfield. Tonight, I hunt." Renfield nodded and straightened Dracula's cape.
Suddenly, Darth Vader appeared in the mirror behind them. "The Dar -- ark -- ark -- HACK! COUGH!"
George yanked up his mask, gasping. "I can't breathe under this thing! You think a Darth Vader mask would come with air holes!"
"I told you you'd make a good Skywalker, Dad, but you had to be the bad guy," Marty pointed out, adjusting his suspenders.
"An alien named Darth Vader visited me when I was your age. Of course I'm going to be him for Halloween!" He pulled at his collar, then looked at Doc. "You know, what you just did would have been much more dramatic if you'd put in your fangs."
"No, it wouldn't have," Doc assured him, smoothing his hair back. It fluffed back up with a vengeance. "If I'd had them in, nobody would have understood me."
"I thought you had the kind that came with dental putty. So you could fit them to your teeth."
"I did, and they do, but it's still damn hard to produce coherent sounds." Doc retrieved the fangs from a nearby table and popped them in. "See?" he said, the word rather muffled.
"Yeah. Well, the TIE-fighter is waiting outside, you two, so unless you plan to turn into a giant bat, Doc. . . ."
Doc pulled out the fangs. "Lead on, Lord Vader. Mustn't keep our hosts waiting, after all." They headed out of Doc's house to Dave's old station wagon parked outside. The rest of the McFlys were inside, waiting impatiently. "About time!" called Lorraine, who was dressed as Princess Leia. "I promised Caroline that we'd be there by seven, and it's after six already! We're going to be late!"
"We've got plenty of time, Lorraine. Between Dave and Doc, we could never be late." He grinned at Doc. "You got the time?"
Doc pulled out a pocket watch and checked it. "It's quarter past six."
"You're not wearing those wrist watches of yours?" Lorraine asked, surprised, as the group got in.
"They don't go with my costume. Only women wore wristwatches in the 1890s." He scratched an itch on his wrist. "I must admit, it feels distinctly odd not be wearing them."
George looked at him curiously. "You know, I don't think any of us have ever asked you why you wear two."
"Marty did once. One year, when I was a child, both my mother and my uncle gave me a wristwatch for my birthday. I didn't want to disappoint either of them, so I wore both. Eventually I got so used to wearing both, it became a habit," he shrugged.
"Have you ever worn more than two?" Dave, as Han Solo and driving, asked.
"Once. At college, a classmate of mine told me how dorky I looked with two watches. I told him there were things dorkier, and he challenged me to provide an example. The next day, I walked in with four watches on each arm."
George grinned. "Eight watches total, huh? What did your classmate say?"
"Nothing. He never teased me again. Since I showed him I wasn't afraid of looking dorky or of him, he left me alone."
George shook his head. "Sometimes I wish I had gotten to know you better as a kid. You could have given me some important pointers. Ah well, you keep Marty out of trouble at least." Doc nodded and winked at his friend, who had to stifle a chuckle.
They arrived at the house right on schedule, to Lorraine's relief. "I haven't been to a Halloween party in ages," Doc commented, feeling nervous. "I wonder if I'll end up being a flowering plant adhering to a solid support structure."
"You will if you keep talking like that," Linda assured him, touching up her lipstick before she exited the car. She was dressed as Paula Abdul, her favorite singer. "Why can't you just say 'wallflower?'"
"It's another habit from my youth. Whenever I got bored, I played a game of saying simple phrases in a complicated way. It just stuck with me."
Marty patted his friend on the back. "Don't worry, Doc. If nobody else talks to you, Jennifer and I will."
"Thanks, Marty."
They walked up to the house and were greeted enthusiastically by their hosts, Jeff and Caroline Smith, tonight Frankenstein's Monster and his Bride. "Welcome, welcome! Have a great time, everyone!" Jeff said, pointedly not looking at Doc. The scientist pushed his fangs into his mouth and walked into the house, determined to enjoy himself. After all, it was just a Halloween party.
He made his way over to the refreshment table as his company scattered. Popping out his fangs, he poured himself a drink -- then spotted a fractured reflection in the cut-glass bowl. Curious, he looked up.
His heartbeat stopped dead. Standing just a few feet away from him was a vision. Silky black hair fell in thick waves over her shoulders. Her form was well proportioned, on the short and thin side. Milky skin blended almost flawlessly with a tattered white dress. Her costume was very simple -- the aforementioned white dress, stained in places with red, what looked like false teeth, and white shoes. She was talking to someone else, and although Doc couldn't make out the conversation due to the white noise of the crowd, he could tell that her voice was melodious. Awestruck, he stared at her, the rest of humanity slowly fading into blackness. His attention belonged solely to her.
"Too strong for your constitution, is it?"
The sarcastic voice of Mr. Steven Strickland brought Doc rudely back to reality. He turned to face the man who made students in Hill Valley High squirm. "Why do you say that?"
Strickland, who had not bothered to dress up, smirked. "Because you're drizzling it on your shoe as opposed to drinking it."
Doc looked down to see a stream of pink splattering on his dress shoe and being absorbed into the carpet. He hastily tipped his drink upward. "I was -- distracted," he said, sneaking a peak back at his vision.
"Ah, I see." Strickland moved closer to him. "I noticed you come in with the McFlys tonight. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised a bunch of slackers would be friends with you."
Doc glared at Strickland. "Just because you have a vendetta against me, doesn't give you the right to take it out on my friends."
"Oh, no, no, I genuinely don't like the McFlys. Both the father and the youngest are slackers, the mother was a wild teenager, as is the daughter -- only David deserves anything more than contempt from me." He smiled. "But now that you've brought up the subject, how is Hill Valley's resident crackpot?"
"I was fine before you decided to converse with me," Doc said bluntly, sneaking another glance at the mystery woman. This time she looked back, causing Doc to quickly avert his eyes. He didn't want to be accused to being a pervert for staring.
"Slacker," Strickland growled. It was his favorite word, and he used it every chance he got. "You were always a know-it-all slacker. Maybe if you had had to work like the rest of us, you wouldn't be this way." He stalked away, not allowing Doc to point out that he did work, that he owned his own business. Doc sighed and looked back to where the woman had been standing. She had vanished, leaving Doc with a feeling of depression. Trying to get his mind off her, he went looking for Marty and Jennifer.
Thursday, Halloween
8: 19 P. M.
"Hey, Earth to Doc!"
Doc snapped out of his latest reverie to see Marty and Jennifer looking at him, with concerned looks on their faces. "Doc, are you okay?" Marty asked uncertainly. "You've been spacing out for most of the party."
"We've been talking to you for five minutes, you didn't even hear us," Jennifer added, hands on hips. She was dressed as a 50s rocker, complete with saddle shoes and poodle skirt. "What's the deal?"
"I have been preoccupied, haven't I?" Doc said, blushing. "I'm sorry, but I can't help it. I keep seeing -- her."
"Her?"
Doc looked to the left. Marty and Jennifer followed his gaze to see the woman standing there. Biff Tannen was with her now, trying to make a pass and/or cop a feel. The vision looked distinctly uncomfortable and was obviously trying to extricate herself from the situation. Doc would have gone over there and punched out Biff had his feet not been frozen to the spot.
Marty and Jennifer smiled at Doc, smug but understanding. "Oh. A girl."
"That is not 'a girl,'" Doc said, taking offense at Marty's tone. "That -- that is a vision. An angel."
"Jeez, Doc, chill out. I know the feeling. Remember when me and Jennifer hooked up? I couldn't keep my eyes off her!"
"Have you been staring at her all through the party?" Jennifer asked, smiling a little. Blushing, Doc nodded. "So why don't you go over there and say hi? Better than just looking at her from across a room."
Doc suddenly found his glass of punch fascinating. "I'm too shy," he admitted softly. "I'm paralyzed whenever I look at her. I want to go over there and talk to her, but I just can't."
Aww, come on, Doc. Just walk over there and say hi! What's the worst that could happen?"
"I don't have the best record with women. I've only had two girlfriends, and both broke my heart. Why would I risk it a third time?"
"Doc, what do you always tell me when I'm not sure if I should do something? 'If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.' Take your own advice!"
Doc had to admit, it was very hard to argue his own point. Taking a deep breath, he spun around and prepared to meet her, face-to-face.
Only to find she had vanished again. Biff was still there, though, nursing his drink and looking pissed. "Damn! Damn damn! I've missed her again!"
"Not really," Jennifer said, poking him in the ribs. "She just went over by the punch." She indicated with a quick wave.
Doc glanced over. The woman looked up, seeing him. Doc averted his eyes again. Marty gave him a push. "Stop acting like my teenage Dad, Doc."
Doc finally turned around and faced her again. His eyes locked with the woman's. Abruptly, he felt -- odd. Like she was summoning him with her gaze. Come over here, you silly boy.
It took him a moment to realize he was walking to her. He looked back to see Marty and Jennifer following him. "Behind you all the way," Marty promised, giving him another push. Doc smiled weakly and continued up to the table. She was smiling at him, a smile that made his heart melt. If there is such a thing as luck, I hope I have plenty right now!
She leaned on the table as he reached her, making a show of refilling his glass. "Have you been watching me all night?" she purred, sounding amused. Her voice fit her form perfectly.
"Well, yes," he said quietly, trying to remove the nervousness from his smile. "I was just curious, as I've never seen you around Hill Valley. May I ask your name?"
The woman stuck out her hand. "Mysteria Jones. I'm a night janitor at the courthouse. Who are you, stranger?"
"Dr. Emmett L. Brown," Doc introduced himself, shaking hands after he wiped his off. "I trust you've heard about my reputation."
Mysteria frowned. "It's hard not to. You seem to be a popular topic around the courthouse. I think what those jerks say is terrible. Picking on someone just because they're different. It's disgusting."
Doc nearly dropped his drink. This can't be happening. A lovely woman who doesn't believe the rumors about me? I must be dreaming. "Well, thank you."
"For not believing those wild stories about you? No problem." She cocked her head, her icy blue eyes reflecting the lights. "What do you do for a living?"
"I run a mobile 24-hour scientific services station," Doc said proudly.
"Get real," a voice snapped behind him. "You run a repair shop outta your van."
Doc turned to see Biff Tannen standing beside him, swaying slightly. Mysteria groaned. "Mr. Tannen, I already told you to leave me alone. Was I not clear enough the first time?"
Biff grinned at her, absolutely reeking of booze. "C'mon, baby, how could you prefer a butt-head nerd like him over a hunk of man like me? You and me, baby, it's meant to be."
"In your dreams," Mystie snapped, her face darkening. "Now, if you'll excuse me--"
Biff grabbed her arm roughly. "Just one kiss, darling," he cooed, yanking her toward him. Mysteria looked disgusted by the very touch of his skin on hers. Angered, Doc snatched Biff's arm. "Let her go," he growled.
Biff glared at him, eyes slightly unfocused. "What's it to you, butt-head?" He gave Doc a hard shove with his free hand. "You looking for a fight?"
"Biff," Marty said firmly, hoping the sight of a McFly would cool Biff's temper.
Biff noticed him and grinned. "Hi, Marty," he said, affecting the "happy" voice he used around his customers. "Dr. Brown and I have a little -- hic – disagreement here." His voice went back to normal. "So butt out, McFly."
Doc shoved Biff back. "All you have to do is leave Miss Jones alone. I don't want to get into a fist fight with you if I don't have to."
"'Cause you know I'd kick your butt. So lay--"
Mysteria snapped her wrist free of Biff's grip with ease. She glared at the Tannen, obviously very angry. In fact, anyone who happened to be watching could have sworn her eyes began to glow. "Mr. Tannen, get out of my sight or I will tell our hosts to call the authorities."
Biff visibly shrank back from her cold tone, but quickly recovered. "To hell with you, then," he snarled back. "You're too fat for my tastes anyhow." He stormed away, muttering evil things under his breath.
Mysteria sighed, then turned to Doc. "Thank you for defending me."
"Emmett Brown at your service, Miss Jones," Doc said with a slight bow. A moment later, he regretted doing that. Why must I always make a fool out of myself in front of women?! he thought, blushing. But when he looked up, she was smiling again.
"Please, call me Mysteria. Or better yet, Mystie." She looked over Doc's shoulder at Marty and Jennifer, who were whispering to each other. "Who are your friends?"
"Oh, this is Renfield – Marty," Doc quickly corrected himself. "Marty McFly. And his girlfriend, Jennifer Parker. Marty, Jennifer, Mysteria Jones, as I'm sure you know."
"Pleasure to meetcha," Marty said, extending a hand.
"Likewise. I take it you're related to George McFly?"
"Youngest son. If you're a resident of Hill Valley, you have to have read his books."
"Yes, I have. They're quite good." She shook Jennifer's hand. "Pleased to meet you." Then she turned her attention back to Doc. "Are you related to the McFlys in some way?"
"No, Marty's just a friend."
Mysteria looked between them. "That's sorta sweet, how friendship can conquer such an age difference."
Doc shrugged, realizing that he hadn't considered the age difference between them in quite a while. Judging from the look on his face, neither had Marty. "Marty and I never really think about the fact that I'm probably old enough to be his grandfather."
Mysteria chuckled. "It must be funny to watch those two together," she commented to Jennifer.
"Oh, definitely," Jennifer grinned back. "Marty even ditched his family's theme to go along with Doc."
"I guessed that. Renfield, eh? I thought you were Dracula, Dr. Brown. Must be patterned on Lugosi, seeing as you don't have fangs."
"I do have fangs. I just haven't got them in. It's very hard to talk if I'm wearing them." Doc leaned on the table, trying to act causal. "What are you dressed up as?"
"Vampire chick." She smiled, showing sharp fangs. Doc blinked -- had those always been in her mouth? Well, of course, you moron. Unless she's the best slight-of-hand artist on earth.
"Wow," said Jennifer, impressed. "Those look real."
Mystie shut her mouth abruptly. "They're -- tailored to my mouth. And it's not a full mouthpiece either, just fangs. Cost me an arm and a leg to get them made."
"Do you mean you just fit them over your real teeth?"
"Yeah, basically."
"Heavy," Marty said. "Ain't that right, Doc?"
"I only wish I'd thought of it." Doc struggled for a topic of conversation. It wasn't usually this hard to think. . . .
Mysteria came to the rescue. "Listen, why don't we set up a date in a more private place so we can get to know each other better. You seem like a fascinating person, and I'd like to get to know the man behind the rumors. What do you say?"
Doc was speechless. "I -- I--"
Marty elbowed him. "Say yes!" he hissed.
"I'm trying!" Doc hissed back. He finally got his mouth to work. "Yes, I would love to. Where would you like to go?"
Mysteria's face glowed. "Oh, just pick a place. I'm not fussy." She took his hand in hers happily. Doc's brain promptly locked up again.
"I think he's gonna need back-up for that date," Marty whispered to Jennifer, who was trying not to laugh. She nodded her assent, and he piped up. "Me and Jennifer know a great place -- Cheri Henri's. We go there every anniversary."
"Why don't we all go together? Marty and I haven't been able to see each other lately," Jennifer suggested.
"Huh?" Doc said vaguely, starting to come out of his coma.
"We can double-date. If that's okay with you guys, of course."
"It's fine with me," Doc said. "Mysteria?"
"It's fine with me too. Shall we make it for eight?"
"Seven," Doc said quickly.
Mysteria frowned. "I don't know. . .7: 30?"
"Perfect. I'll see you tomorrow, Mysteria."
"I look forward to it, Dr. Brown."
"Please, call me Emmett."
"All right, Emmett. It was wonderful meeting you all." She gave Doc's hand a quick squeeze, then vanished into the crowd.
"What a nice woman," Jennifer said.
"Yeah. I think she's sweet on you, Doc!" Marty laughed. Doc didn't respond. "Doc? Doc, you okay?"
Doc was staring at the spot Mystie had just vacated. Slowly, his face relaxed into a goofy grin. "He's in love all right. Hey, Doc, come back to earth for a sec."
Doc blinked. "I feel dizzy," he admitted, still smiling. "I don't believe it. I have a date tomorrow night."
Then it sunk in. The smile vanished, to be replaced by a look of fright. "I have a date tomorrow night. I don't remember the last time I was on a proper date!"
"Easy, Doc. Jennifer and I are gonna be with you, 'member? I'll help you with whatever you need, Doc."
"Thanks, Marty." Doc resisted the urge to pace, instead grabbing a length of his cape and twisting it. "She's not going to like me once she gets to know me. I live in a garage, for Christ's sake. I'm going to make a fool of myself in front of her, I know it."
Marty sighed. "It's gonna be 1955 George all over again."